24 n ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE April 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com Is AI good or bad for manufacturing? Arti cial Intelligence (AI) has come on by leaps and bounds over the past few years. We’re now at a point where it feels like many people in all sectors of industry are genuinely worried that their jobs will be replaced or changed dramatically by AI. Is this something that those in the manufacturing sector should be concerned about? Or are some people simply looking at things through the wrong lens? While employees have every right to be sceptical about AI, it’s important to note that integrating AI into existing workows is actually aimed at enhancing productivity and removing the need for many timeconsuming and tedious manual tasks. The rst thing to consider, and something that is often overlooked, is the fact that robots and automation have long been an integral part of manufacturing operations for many businesses. Robots are taking on repetitive and dangerous roles within industry to increase productivity and accuracy, while also making operations safer for employees. While AI and automation will undoubtedly take over certain jobs, it’s important to remember that this is happening in almost all sectors of the economy, and isn’t isolated to manufacturing. What jobs has AI replaced? In recent years, AI and robotics have started to replace several types of roles in manufacturing. These include, for example: n assembly line workers AI and automation are taking on some repetitive tasks, such as assembling parts and fastening components, which are monotonous and have the potential to be relatively dangerous. n warehousing and material-handling workers Autonomous robots are becoming increasingly common for picking and sorting materials in factories and warehouses. n CNC machine operators While this role does still exist in many workplaces, smart manufacturing systems are capable of operating with minimal human intervention. n predictive maintenance personnel AI technology is able to do some of their tasks autonomously, helping to reduce downtime. While some of these responsibilities are increasingly being taken over by AI, it’s important to note that the majority of these changes have happened over the span of around 10 years. Along with this, new jobs have been created o the back of AI technologies, with roles such as robotics maintenance, AI system supervision, and data analysis all becoming more common in recent years. While AI causes some employees to look over their shoulders in trepidation, there are far more pressing issues facing the manufacturing sector – the most urgent of these being the declining numbers of skilled workers. Technology could well be the answer to some of the issues faced by ageing workforces, and the lack of training time available for more junior employees. For many years, there’s been a steady decline in the numbers of skilled workers in industry. In the US, for example, Deloitte predicts that the manufacturing sector will have more than 2.1 million un lled jobs by 2030. There is undoubtedly an urgent need for more skilled workers. AI presents a huge opportunity for manufacturers to automate sections of their operations, allowing them to focus more on upskilling and training their workers. More and more manufacturers are seeing the merits of this opportunity and allowing their employees to use AI where appropriate, freeing up both junior and senior members of sta from time-intensive tasks that can be performed eciently by robots or other forms of automation. Opinions vary widely on whether arti cial intelligence is a boon or a threat to manufacturing. Mike Bradford, director of strategic business development for Dassault Systèmes’ Delmia brand, takes a look at how AI may a ect manufacturers in the coming years, and what steps they need to take to ensure they are keeping up with what it has to o er. Arti cial intelligence is changing the way that factories operate
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